Shinta Maharani, Jakarta – Indonesian diaspora in Germany protests the planned enactment of the Criminal Procedure Code Bill or KUHAP Bill, as it will legalize the criminalization of activists and restrict the space for civil society democracy.
Indonesian community associations in Germany rallied in front of the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin, Germany, on Monday, November 17, 2025 local time. They demanded that the House of Representatives and the government not enact the KUHAP Bill.
The House of Representatives and the government have agreed on the draft of the KUHAP Bill. The House plans to enact the regulation in the upcoming plenary session scheduled to take place this week. The plan to enact the KUHAP Bill has drawn criticism from the Civil Society Coalition for KUHAP Reform.
The KUHAP Bill contains problematic and vulnerable articles that could be exploited by law enforcement officials. For example, Article 5 of the KUHAP expands the authority of investigators to carry out coercive measures such as arrest, travel restrictions, searches, and detention, even though there is no confirmation of a criminal act at this stage.
Articles 7 and 8, which place the police as the principal investigators, have the potential to make the National Police a superpower institution with immense control.
In addition to rejecting the enactment of the KUHAP Bill, the diaspora rejects the designation of Soeharto as a national hero on November 10. Protesters carried black umbrellas with signs demanding the restoration of democracy, calling Indonesia dark, and various posters depicting human rights violations by Soeharto.
They declare President Prabowo Subianto responsible for eliminating the various crimes committed by Soeharto and Sarwo Edhie.
Abdul Mughis Mudhoffir, an academic from the University of Hamburg representing the Indonesian community in Germany, stated that the diaspora urges the government to revoke the title of hero from Soeharto and Sarwo Edhie Wibowo. "They are criminals against humanity, the environment, human rights, and democracy," Mughis said through a WhatsApp message on Monday, November 17, 2025.
In addition, the diaspora also demands the release of all political prisoners following the violent demonstrations at the end of August. They also urge the government to cancel the food estate and bioenergy projects in Merauke, which have destroyed two million hectares of rainforest and the indigenous community's environment. The diaspora also protests the multifunctionality of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the militarization of civil space.
This is not the first time that the Indonesian diaspora in Berlin has demonstrated. Previously, they were involved in the Dark Indonesia protest. Several demonstrations they have carried out in the past have often been restricted and encountered crackdowns.
Similar demonstrations also took place in Melbourne, Australia. Last Friday, Indonesian diaspora protested the Indonesian government's designation of Soeharto and Sarwo Edhie as national heroes. The diaspora spread a petition against Soeharto as a national hero.
Ulya Niami Jamson, from 'Melbourne Bergerak', said Soeharto committed genocide and human rights violations. "Withdraw the hero designation because he is unworthy," said Ulya.